Kaede Tsukino (Tabaxi female) is the cunning and enigmatic leader of the Tsukishima Clan, a master ninja devoted to Tsukiyomi and Susanoo. Known for her moonlit agility and strategic mind, she commands her clan from the Lunar Dojo, performing shadow dances to commune with Tsukiyomi and guide her ninja. Riding a Blue Sakura Raptor, Kaede patrols the Tsukishima Peaks, guarding Ebon Scales in the Lost Caves against incursions. Her distrust of the Kiyomura Clan’s rigid leadership and the Sakurajima Clan’s Ravus ties makes her fiercely protective of clan autonomy, but she struggles to root out corruption among her ninja.
DM spoiler — click to reveal
Personal mission
Kaede’s personal mission is to secure or destroy the Peaks’ Ebon Scales to thwart the second Shattering, but she fears her clan’s secrecy may isolate them from allies.
Personality
Calculating, elusive, and fiercely independent. Kaede speaks in riddles, using her charm to deflect scrutiny, but her loyalty to Tsukiyomi inspires her ninja. Her flaw is paranoia, suspecting betrayal even among allies, which strains relations with the Shogunate.
Equipment
An Aetheric Silk cloak (advantage on Stealth checks, +1 AC), a Blue Sakura Raptor mount, and Sakura Blossoms (for shadow dances).
DM spoiler — click to reveal
Stat block: Daimyo Kaede Tsukino
Medium humanoid (Tabaxi), neutral good - Armor Class: 16 (Aetheric Silk cloak) - Hit Points: 78 (12d8 + 24) - Speed: 40 ft., climb 20 ft. - STR: 12 | DEX: 18 | CON: 14 | INT: 14 | WIS: 15 | CHA: 16 - Saving Throws: Dex +7, Wis +5 - Skills: Acrobatics +7, Deception +6, Stealth +9, Perception +5, Religion +5 - Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 15 - Languages: Common, Elvish, Draconic - CR: 8 - Traits: - Feline Agility: Kaede can double her speed for one turn. She must move 0 feet on a turn before using this trait again. - Tsukiyomi’s Veil: Kaede can cast invisibility on herself once per day without a spell slot. The spell lasts until she attacks or casts another spell. - Shadow Step: Once per short rest, as a bonus action, Kaede can teleport up to 60 feet to an unoccupied space in dim light or darkness that she can see, gaining advantage on her next attack roll before the end of her turn. - Evasion: If Kaede is subjected to an effect that allows a Dexterity saving throw to take half damage, she takes no damage on a success and half damage on a failure. - Actions: - Multiattack: Kaede makes two attacks with her Aetheric shuriken, or one with her shuriken and one with her knife. - Aetheric Silk Shuriken: Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d6 + 4) piercing damage + 7 (2d6) force damage. On a hit, Kaede can choose to impose disadvantage on the target’s next attack roll before the end of its next turn. - Knife: Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (1d8 + 4) slashing damage + 7 (2d6) force damage. - Shadow Dance (Recharge 5-6): Kaede performs a ritual dance, summoning a 15-foot radius of darkness centered on her for 1 minute. Allies within the area gain advantage on Stealth checks, and enemies must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or have disadvantage on attack rolls against Kaede and her allies until the start of her next turn.
DM spoiler — click to reveal
Role in campaign
Kaede is a patron in the Tsukishima Peaks, hiring the party to retrieve Ebon Scales or sniff out traitors. Her ninja skills aid in missions, where she targets Klythar’s altar. Her Shadow Dance and Tsukiyomi’s Veil make her a stealthy ally against chaotic threats.